Perennial Research Articles

A review of the ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of the Ferulago genus based on Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) of coumarins.

The Ferluago W.D.J. Koch genus includes 48 accepted perennial herbs that are distributed in the Mediterranean region, Southeast Europe, Central and Middle East of Asia. These plants are widely used in folk and conventional medicine due to their biological benefits such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immunomodulatory properties. Conducting a comprehensive review based on the structure activity relationships (SARs) of the coumarins, which has not been previously documented, can lead to a better insight into the genus Ferulago and its beneficial therapeutic activities. This review covers literature from 1969 to 2023, were collected from various scientific electronic databases to review phytochemical, pharmacological, and ethnopharmacological data of Ferulago species, as well as latest information on the SAR of reported coumarins from this genus. Phytochemical studies showed that the biological actions of this genus are mediated by the reported specialized metabolites, such as coumarins and flavonoids. Simple coumarins, prenylated coumarins, furanocoumarins, and pyranocoumarins are the largest subclasses of coumarins found in diverse Ferulago species, which have discussed the biological effects of them with a focus on the Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR). For example, prenylated coumarins have shown potential leishmanicidal and anti-neuropsychiatric effects when substituted with a prenyl group at the 7-hydroxy, as well as the C6 and C8 positions in their scaffold. Similarly, furanocoumarins exhibit varied biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-convulsant effects. Modifying substitutions at the C5 and C6 positions in furanocoumarins can enhance these activities. This study conducted a comprehensive review of all available information on the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of Ferulago species. Given the high occurrence of coumarins in this genus, which exhibit potential anti-Alzheimer and anti-microbial properties, it presents promising new therapeutic avenues for addressing these common issues. Further investigation is needed to understand the molecular-level mechanisms of action and to explore their clinical applications.

Limpograss [Hemarthria altissima] Silage and Protein Supplementation as an Alternative Feed Option for Growing Heifers in North Florida.

Limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) is a warm-season perennial grass that has the potential to feed livestock during scarcity periods. This study evaluated the intake, nutrient digestibility, and animal performance of beef heifers fed 'Gibtuck' limpograss silage combined with different levels of a range cube supplementation. Twenty-four heifers (330 ± 16 kg live weight) were submitted to four different treatments with 6 replicates: (1) control, no supplementation + limpograss silage ad libitum; (2) 1.4 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum; (3) 2.8 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum; and (4) 4.2 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein showed a positive quadratic effect with increasing supplementation levels (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Overall, the supplement improved diet digestibility and total DM intake but reduced silage intake, indicating a combined effect (substitutive and additive effect) of the protein supplement. The increasing level of protein supplement increased the average daily gain with a quadratic effect (p ≤ 0.0001). Limpograss silage associated with supplementation can improve diet digestibility and increase the animal performance of growing heifers, providing an alternative for livestock in North Florida.

Study of genotype × environment interaction on the morphological and chemical features of geranium (Pelargonium graveleons L'Her Ex Ait.)

Geranium is a multi-harvest perennial plant in the Geraniaceae family grown for its sweet-scented herbs and essential oils. It is well-known for its imposing rose-like aroma. Geranium essential oil is commonly used in the soap, fragrance, and cosmetic industries to isolate rhodinol, an aromatic compound found in most high-grade perfumes. The current study evaluated a total of 5 geranium genotypes across three years, at two locations, to identify the superior and stable geranium genotypes. "The pooled ANOVA results showed substantial genotype × environment interactions for all the traits under study. The CIM-Bio 171 genotype had the highest essential oil production per plant (g) (X9), followed by Kelkar (rank II, 10.24), Algerian CIM-Pawan (rank III, 10.03), CIM-Pawan (rank IV, 7.63), and Bourbon (rank V, 7.24) g/plant. For the trait citronellol content (X10), the Algerian genotype ranked top (37.83%), followed by CIM-Pawan (rank II, 30.81%), CIM-Bio 171 (rank III, 28.33%), Bourbon (rank IV, 26.89%), and Kelkar (rank V, 12.58%). The Kelkar genotype ranked the highest (6.20%) in the trait 10-epi-γ-Eudesmol content (X16), followed by CIM-Pawan (rank II, 5.89%), Algerian (rank III, 4.56%), Bourbon (rank IV, 4.29%), and CIM-Bio 171 (rank V, 4.25%). The genotype CIM Bio 171 exhibited the highest mean value for essential oil yield, and cis-Rose oxide content (%). The following genotypes, such as CIM Bio 171, Algerian, and CIM Pawan, emerged as high-mean performers and exhibited stability across diverse environments. The genotype CIM Bio 171 is closer to the ideal genotype, followed by CIM Bio 171, Algerian, and CIM Pawan as the most desirable genotypes. Similarly, the year Y3 was determined to be the most desirable based on GGE-biplot environment evaluations at both locations. Therefore, CIM Bio 171 has been released for commercial cultivation because of its exceptional performance in essential oil yield and quality attributes across locations and years. Kew wordscis-Rose oxide; essential oil; environment ranking; GGE-biplot; genotype × environment interaction.

Antiviral Efficacy of Coridothymus capitatus Essential Oil Against HSV-1 and HSV-2.

Coridothymus capitatus is a perennial herb with aromatic leaves and flowers, distinct from Thymus vulgaris in its chemical composition, resulting in a unique Thymus Essential Oil (TEO). A main component of TEO, carvacrol, is known for its antimicrobial and insecticidal activity. Carvacrol has potent antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, generating interest in traditional medicine. However, studies on its antiviral activity are limited. Given the rise in viral infections and limitations of synthetic antiviral drugs, natural antiviral agents are promising due to their efficacy, lower resistance development, and reduced side effects. This study assessed the antiviral efficacy of TEO compared to that of pure carvacrol. We tested various viruses, revealing significant inhibitory effects of TEO on the replication of only Simplexvirus humanalpha1 (HSV-1) and Simplexvirus humanalpha2 (HSV-2), with specific interference during the early stages of the viral replication cycle after the adsorption period. TEO exhibited inhibitory effects at doses below the cytotoxic threshold, with IC50 values of 47 μg/mL for HSV-1 and 40 μg/mL for HSV-2. Maximum virus inhibition was achieved when TEO was added within 90 min post-infection, indicating interference with early viral replication steps. These findings highlight the potential of TEO as a natural antiviral agent and suggest further research into its mechanisms and clinical applications.

The method of distributing the costs of growing perennial non-bloodless grasses by types of products

The introduction of modern technologies for growing perennial grasses in feed production has caused the need to improve the methodology for allocating costs by product type. The article describes the current method of distributing the costs of cultivation. The problems of distribution of these costs are revealed. It is proposed to open two analytical accounts for the sowing of a grass mixture of perennial uncovered grasses for a more accurate distribution of costs in the future, in the year of sowing: «The cost of tillage and sowing of perennial grasses », «The cost of caring for crops and harvesting perennial grasses». A new method of cost allocation by types of perennial herb products has been developed.

First Report of Didymella pomorum Causing Leaf Blight on Angelica sinensis in China.

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Umbelliferae family. It has a long history of cultivation and is highly valued as a traditional Chinese medicine in China (Zhang et al. 2012). In September 2023, leaf blight on A. sinensis with an average disease incidence of 56% was recorded in an approximately 6.7-ha production field in Lijiang, Yunnan province, China (26.8215°N, 100.2369°E). At first, small, chlorotic lesions appeared on the leaves. They subsequently increased in density and gradually merged, causing leaves to yellow and wither. Ultimately the blight casused death of the entire foliage. In order to identify the causal agent, cross-sectional segments (5×5 mm2) were cut from the edge of leaf lesions, surface disinfected with a 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 3 min and rinsed three times with sterile distilled water. They were subsequently placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates and incubated for 3 days under a 12-h photoperiod at 28℃. A total of ten isolates with similar morphological characteristics were obtained by single spore isolation. After 10 days of incubation on PDA, the colony morphology of these isolates was characterized by a brownish central area with a white edge. Aged colonies became wrinkled in the center of the colony. Conidia (n = 30) were elliptical and brown, with a size range of 4.11 to 6.55 μm (average 5.37±0.74 μm) × 3.17 to 4.62 μm (average 3.92±0.43 μm). Chlamydospores (n = 30) formed chains in series, spherical or elliptical in shape, ranging from yellow-brown to dark brown, with a size range of 12.30 to 13.70 μm (average 12.98±0.46 μm) × 4.20 to 5.30 μm (average 4.63±0.26 μm). The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and the 28S nuclear ribosomal large subunit rRNA (LSU) region of two isolates were amplified with the primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), fRPB2-5F/fRPB2-7cR (Liu et al. 1999), and LR0R/LR5 (Schoch et al. 2012), respectively. These amplicons were sequenced bidirectionally and assembled. The two isolates produced the same nucleotide sequences, and the sequences of a representative isolate (AsDp1) were deposited in GenBank. BLASTn analyses showed that the ITS (PP510616), RPB2 (PP526010), and LSU (PP550143) sequences of isolate AsDp1 were 100%, 99.66%, and 100% identical with those of Didymella pomorum ex-type isolate CBS 354.52 (MH857081, KT389616, and MH868616), respectively. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the ITS, RPB2, and LSU concatenated nucleotide sequences using the maximum likelihood method in MEGAX. Isolate AsDp1 was clustered with four D. pomorum isolates. According to the morphological and nucleotide sequences analyses, isolate AsDp1 was identified as D. pomorum (Chen et al. 2015). To determine pathogenicity, 1-year-old A. sinensis plants (approximately 20 cm tall) grown in 7-liter pots filled with sterilized field soil were sprayed until runoff with a 1×106 conidia/ml suspension of isolate AsDp1 onto the foliage, while control plants were sprayed with sterile water. All plants were cultivated under a 12-h photoperiod at 25℃. The pathogenicity tests were performed in triplicate with ten plants in each treatment. After fifteen days, numerous chlorotic lesions appeared on the leaves of all inoculated plants. The symptoms were similar to those found on naturally infected plants in the field, while the control plants remained asymptomatic. Subsequently, D. pomorum was reisolated from the diseased leaves, and the identity was confirmed based on its ITS sequence and morphological characteristics. D. pomorum causing stem canker on Rosa spp. was reported in Canada (Ilyukhin 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first report of D. pomorum causing leaf blight on A. sinensis in China. This etiological finding will potentially pave the way for the development of control strategies of this disease.

Exogenous stimulation of Tanacetum vulgare roots with pipecolic acid leads to tissue-specific responses in terpenoid composition.

Tanacetum vulgare L., tansy, is a perennial plant with highly variable terpenoid composition, with mono- and sesquiterpenoids being the most abundant. The high diversity of terpenoids plays an important role in mediating ecological interactions. However, the distribution of terpenoids in different tissues and inducibility of terpenoids in these tissues via biotic stress are poorly understood. We investigated changes in terpenoid profiles and concentrations in different organs following treatment of roots with pipecolic acid (Pip), a non-proteinogenic amino acid that triggers defence responses leading to induce systemic resistance (SAR) in plants. Tansy leaves and midribs contained mainly monoterpenoids, while coarse and fine roots contained mainly sesquiterpenoids. Rhizomes contained terpenoid profiles of both midribs and roots but also unique compounds. Treatment with Pip led to an increase in concentrations of mono- and sesquiterpenoids in all tissues except rhizomes. However, significantly more sesquiterpenoids was formed in root tissues in response to Pip treatment, compared to shoots. The metabolic atlas for terpenoids presented here shows that there is exceptionally strong differentiation of terpenoid patterns and terpenoid content in different tissues of tansy. This, together with differential inducibility by Pip, suggests that the chemical diversity of terpenoids may play an important role in tansy ecological interactions and defence against biotic stressors that feed on below- and aboveground organs.

Vascular plants and biocrusts ameliorate soil properties serving to increase the stability of the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall, as a World Heritage Site, is constructed with rammed earth and is currently facing the threat of erosion from wind and rain. Vascular plants and biocrusts are the main coverings of the Great Wall, and their role in mitigating soil erosion has attracted increased amounts of attention; however, the understanding of their underlying mechanisms is limited. Here, we conducted an extensive survey of vascular plants, biocrusts, soil properties (soil organic and inorganic binding materials, aggregates, and texture), soil aggregate stability, and soil erodibility at the top of the Great Wall in four different defensive zones in Northwest China. Vascular plants covered 13.6 % to 63.9 % of the tops of the Great Wall, and their rich diversity was mainly derived from perennial herbs. Moss, lichen, and cyanobacterial crusts collectively covered 36.3 % to 67.8 % of the top of the Great Wall. Redundancy analysis and structural equation modeling revealed that the synergistic effects of vascular plants and biocrusts enhanced soil aggregation stability (including geometric mean diameter, GMD; water-stable macroaggregate content, R) by increasing the accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC), amorphous iron oxide (Feo), and amorphous alumina (Alo) and promoting the formation of macroaggregates (ASD>0.25 mm) and microaggregates (ASD0.053-0.25 mm). Furthermore, soil erodibility was primarily influenced negatively by the synergistic promotion of SOC accumulation by vascular plants and biocrusts and positively by the reduction in soil sand (PSD>0.05 mm) content by biocrusts. Our work highlights the mechanisms and importance of vascular plants and biocrusts as natural covers for altering the intrinsic properties of soil for the protection of the Great Wall. These findings provide reliable theoretical support for the protection of the Great Wall from erosion by vascular plants and biocrusts and offer new insights for the conservation of global earthen sites and similar wall habitats.

Analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Panax quinquefolius reveals shifts from cis-splicing to trans-splicing of intron cox2i373

Panax quinquefolius is a perennial plant with medicinal values. In this study, we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of P. quinquefolius using PMAT assembler. The total length of P. quinquefolius mitogenome is 573,154 bp. We annotated a total of 34 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 35 tRNA genes, and 6 rRNA genes in this mitogenome. The analysis of repetitive elements shows that there are 153 SSRs, 24 tandem repeats and 242 pairs of dispersed repeats this mitogenome. Also, we found 24 homologous sequences with a total length of 64,070 bp among its mitogenome and plastome, accounting for 41.05 % of the plastome, and 11.18 % of the mitogenome, showing a remarkable frequent sequence dialogue between plastome and mitogenomes. Besides, a total of 583 C to U RNA editing sites on 34 PCGs of high confidence were predicted by using Deepred-mt. We also inferred the phylogenetic relationships of P. quinquefolius and other angiosperms based on mitochondrial PCGs. Finally, we observed a shift from cis- to trans-splicing in P. quinquefolius for two mitochondrial introns, namely cox2i373 and nad1i728, and a pair of 48 bp short repetitive sequences may be associated with the breaking and rearrangement of the cox2i373 intron. The fragmentation of the cox2i373 intron was further confirmed by our PCR amplification experiments. In summary, our report on the P. quinquefolius mitogenome provides a new perspective on the intron evolution of the mitogenome.

Investigation of the Antioxidant Capacity of Taraxacum Officinale L. Leaf Extract

The aim of this study is to investigate the potent antioxidant capacities of Taraxacum officinale leaf extract. Asteraceae family, the genus Taraxacum is widespread in the Mediterranean countries, with approximately 2000 species worldwide. Taraxacum officinale, a species that stands out in phytotherapy, is a perennial plant with yellow flowers commonly found in the warm regions of Asia and Europe. Initially used in folk medicine for liver diseases, it has been observed over time that it is also used for various diseases such as dyspepsia and urinary system disorders. T. officinale contains numerous phenolic compounds contributing to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. This research aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of aqueous and ethanol-water extracts prepared from T. officinale leaves. Antioxidant capacities were assessed using spectrophotometric methods in DPPH, FRAP, and CuPRAC forms. The results showed that the DPPH, FRAP, and CuPRAC values were higher in the 50% ethanol extract of T. officinale leaves: 137.1 mg Trolox/g (DPPH method), 132.7 mg Trolox/g (FRAP method), and 409.9 mg Trolox/g (CuPRAC method). In conclusion, Taraxacum officinale leaves clearly demonstrate to be a rich source of polyphenols with high antioxidant properties. It has no seious side effect or toxicity. Considering its lack of serious side effects and toxicity, when formulated into herbal medicine, it could be effective in the treatment of various diseases, especially common liver and bile diseases, based on its biological activity studies.

Poaceae Pollen as the Leading Aeroallergen

The relevance of aerobiological topics is evidenced by the fact that from July 1 to July 5, 2024, an unusual event was held in Vilnius (Lithuania), including the 8th European Symposium on Aerobiology (8th ESA), the 12th International Congress on Aerobiology (12th ICA) and the 5th International Ragweed Conference (5th IRC). World Aerobiology 2024 is an event of unprecedented scale. It discussed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for calculating and interpreting aerobiological monitoring data. But so far, AI cannot identify all taxa, so careful counting and identification of plant pollen and fungal spores is only possible for a human researcher. Aerobiological monitoring using volumetric traps remains the gold standard of research. In the world community, there are networks of biological monitoring of air quality with the study of the concentration of plant pollen and fungal spores in the air. Through an application on a mobile phone, you can find out the forecast of periods of maximum risk, during which patients with hay fever are exposed to the main aeroallergens. Popular queries from Internet users relate to the complex problem of climate change, environmental pollution and aeroallergens. There is no National Aerobiological Monitoring system in Kyrgyzstan, but the Meteonova service has launched a pollen forecast application for mobile phones, which is still in the testing stage and does not reflect the real features of the aerobiological spectrum. It is known that in the world there are more than 12,000 species in the Poaceae family, classified into 771 genera belonging to 12 subfamilies. In Kyrgyzstan, 300 anemophilous species of annual perennial plants grow, releasing a huge amount of pollen into the atmosphere in the spring and summer. Poaceae pollen is still one of the top ten global aeroallergens, being the leading cause of hay fever, by predominant size, classified as biological pollutants (PM10). The concentration of cereal pollen was consistently observed in the air of Karakol during all seasons of the study and ranged from 167 to 174 days. Its daily maximum concentrations were detected in June-July; the distribution of pollen in the air is unimodal. The influence of the anthropogenic triad on fluctuations in the concentration of cereal pollen was established: climate change (temperature) and land use systems, as well as environmental pollution, which manifested itself in the degradation of pollen grains and the appearance of damaged and unidentified biological particles. The purpose of this article is to study the concentration of cereal pollen in the air, their integrative contribution to the aerobiological spectrum in the city of Karakol as dominant pollen allergens.

The name for a well-known crop: Rumex kioviensis, a hybridogenous taxon derived from R. patientia × R. tianschanicus (Polygonaceae)

The new crops developed at the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv from the initial artificial interspecific crosses Rumex patientia × R. tianschanicus are variously known in botanical and agricultural literature under the hybrid formula or informal names “Shchavnat”, “Hybrid Dock”, “Rumex K-1”, “Rumex OK-2”, or names of cultivars cv. ‘Kyivskyi Ultra’, cv. ‘Shpinat Uteusha’, cv. ‘Nastavnyk’, etc. A brief overview of the history of development of these cultivars is provided. These robust perennial plants are cultivated at present as spinach greens, fodder, and high-yield biomass producers for bioenergy applications in several European and other countries (Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Romania, etc.). Numerous agricultural, horticultural, and biotechnological publications about these new crops are now available, including various aspects of and data on their biochemistry, physiology, genetics, morphology, propagation, agrotechniques, biomass and biofuel production potential, nutritional value, etc. Also, these hybrid cultivars were reported in several regions of Central Europe as potentially invasive weeds escaped from cultivation. Considering the growing popularity of the Hybrid Dock as a green leaf vegetable, a biomass and biofuel producing crop (among other uses), and a potentially invasive alien, we think that a proper botanical name should be assigned to that taxon. Here it is described as a new hybridogenous species Rumex kioviensis Rakhmetov, A. Mosyakin &amp; Mosyakin. Diagnostic characters distinguishing this new taxon from its parent taxa and other related species are indicated. Some remaining taxonomic and nomenclatural problems regarding Asian taxa related to R. patientia are briefly discussed.

Assembly and Comparative Analysis of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Saussurea inversa (Asteraceae).

Saussurea inversa is a perennial herb used in traditional Chinese medicine and is effective against rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of S. inversa (GenBank accession number: ON584565.1). The circular mt genome of S. inversa was 335,372 bp in length, containing 62 genes, including 33 mRNAs, 22 tRNAs, 6 rRNAs, and 1 pseudogene, along with 1626 open reading frames. The GC content was 45.14%. Predictive analysis revealed substantial RNA editing, with ccmFn being the most abundantly edited gene, showing 36 sites. Gene migration between the mt and chloroplast (cp) genomes of S. inversa was observed through the detection of homologous gene fragments. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. inversa was clustered with Arctium tomentosum (Asteraceae). Our findings provide extensive information regarding the mt genome of S. inversa and help lay the foundation for future studies on its genetic variations, phylogeny, and breeding via the analysis of the mt genome.

Portulaca oleracea (purslane) aqueous extract reduced the adverse metabolic outcomes and favored liraglutide activities in streptozotocin-induced cardiometabolic disorders of male Wistar rats

Cardiometabolic diseases including Diabetes mellitus accounts >400 million deaths globally. Portulaca oleracea (Purslane) noted for its rich antioxidants, is a perennial herbaceous plant widely cultivated across countries. This study aimed to determine the ameliorative effect of ethanolic extract of Portulaca oleracea (EPO) on cardiometabolic diseases of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats weighing between 120 and 150 g were randomly distributed into five groups and treated respectively as; Control (CTR): normal chow + vehicle (normal saline; orally), EPO; 400 mg/kg orally, STZ; 60 mg/kg intraperitoneally + vehicle, (STZ; 60 mg/kg + EPO; 400 mg/kg orally), STZ+ EPO+ Liraglutide (LG); 0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously. After four weeks, animals were anesthetized by 1 % chloroform inhalation for 5 min (5.0 ppm) and blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Plasma, cardiac and adipose tissue homogenate were analyzed, and data expressed as mean ± SEM; p < 0.05 were accepted as significant. The diabetic rats showed decreased body weight, reduced blood glucose and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), adipose mass, insulin (p < 0.05). Portulaca oleracea resulted in reduced plasma fasting blood glucose (FBG), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α) and increased pancreatic beta cell functions (HOMA-B) compared to the diabetic rats (p < 0.05). Also, plasma AMPK, insulin and glutathione (GSH) increased in the purslane, and liraglutide treated (p < 0.05), which is a known glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist. In conclusion, purslane possess GLP-1R agonist activities and improved glucometabolic activities and this presents a great advantage in the management of cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes.

Across a phylogeographic break in the Qinling Mountains-Huaihe River Line: Quaternary evolutionary history of a medicinal and edible homologous plant (Allium macrostemon) in China

Biogeographic barriers to gene flow are central to studies of plant phylogeography. There are many physical and geographic barriers in China, but few studies have used molecular ecological evidence to investigate the natural geographic isolation barrier of the Qinling Mountains-Huaihe River Line (QHL). Allium macrostemon is a precious Chinese perennial herb belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is used as a food and medicine, with a variety of health and healing properties. Five SSR markers, three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) markers (psbA-trnH, rps16 and trnL-F), one nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) marker (ITS), and simplified genome GBS sequencing were used to analyse the genetic diversity and structure of A. macrostemon. Combining SSR, cpDNA, nrDNA ITS data and GBS analysis results, we divided A. macrostemon populations into northern and southern groups, with the southern group further divided into southwestern and central-southeastern groups. Niche simulation results reveal that the distribution area of A. macrostemon will reach its maximum in the future. These data indicate that the regional separation of A. macrostemon has been maintained by the combined influence of a geographical barrier and Quaternary climate, and that the back-and-forth fluctuations of QHL and Quaternary climate have played an important role in this process. QHL acts as a north-south dividing line in phylogeography and population genetic structure, promoting physical geographic isolation. This study provides a theoretical basis for the conservation, development, and utilization of A. macrostemon resources. It further provides a reference for understanding the systematic geographical pattern of the large-scale spatial distribution of plants in China and enriches our understanding of Quaternary plant evolution in areas with complex terrain.

Review on Pharmacological Action and Therapeutic Uses of Balchar (Nardostachys jatamansi DC): Unani Perspective

Nardostachys jatamansi DC, commonly referred to as 'Balchar', is a perennial herb within the Valerianaceae family, locally known as "Jatamansi" or "Sumbul-ut-teeb". This species is indigenous to the Himalayan Mountain range, with its habitat extending across China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar, thriving at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 meters. The roots of Nardostachys jatamansi are utilized in traditional Unani medicine for the treatment of various ailments, including hepatitis, inflammation, and obstructions. The genus Nardostachys, particularly Nardostachys jatamansi, is rich in phytoconstituents such as actinidine, angelicin, jatamansin, jatamansone, and jatamansinol. Extensive pharmacological research has demonstrated the plant's antilithiatic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cognitive-enhancing, cardioprotective, hypolipidemic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antiandrogenic, and antibacterial properties. This review aims to elucidate the therapeutic applications of Nardostachys jatamansi, drawing on traditional Unani medicine and contemporary scientific investigations.

Morphological characterization, seed production, and oil content of several lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf.) Line

Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemongrass, is a perennial herb widely cultivated for its culinary, medicinal, and aromatic industries. This research investigates the morphological characterization and potential yield of different lemongrass lines. The study involved the collection of diverse lemongrass genotypes from various geographic regions in Indonesia. The research was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications. Morphological character observations encompass both quantitative and qualitative characters of plants. Morphological characteristics such as plant height, leaf length and width, stem diameter, and number of tillers were measured to assess the variations among the genotypes. The results revealed considerable variability in the morphological traits among the lemongrass. Plant height ranged from 102.28 to 158.96 cm, while stem length and diameter varied between 26.11 to 42.61 cm and 8.99 to 19.68 cm, respectively. The number of tillers per plant ranged from 7.59 to 49.41. Moreover, the essential oil content varied from 0.07% to 0.26% (v/w). According to correlation analysis, the stem's diameter and the leaf's width positively correlate with the essential oil content. As a result, we can continue to develop the Sukabumi local line to maximize biomass and essential oil yields.

Efficient utilization of winter nitrogen sources by soil microorganisms and plants in a temperate grassland

In seasonal snow-covered regions, the soil microbial community remains highly active, enabling nitrogen (N) mineralization processes to occur even during the winter. Therefore, winter N accumulation is likely to be a primary N source for plant growth in the subsequent spring. However, the availability of winter N resources (i.e., ammonium and nitrate N) to soil microorganisms and plants in temperate grasslands remains unclear. Here, we applied 15NH4Cl and K15NO3 tracers before autumn-winter freezing, and then investigated the retention of both 15N tracers in soil microorganisms and different plants during the winter and spring period in a typical steppe. The results showed that approximately 33 % and 27 % of 15NH4Cl and K15NO3 tracers were immobilized by soil microorganisms, while little had been uptake by plants during winter. In the subsequent spring, soil retained 32 % and 34 %, microorganisms immobilized 5.1 % and 5.2 %, plant acquired 40 % and 28 % of the 15NH4Cl and K15NO3 tracers, respectively. At a temporal scale, perennial bunch grasses first acquired 15N in the winter-spring transition, followed by perennial rhizome grasses and forbs in early spring, while legumes utilized little 15N. In contrast, the 15N absorption capacity of perennial rhizome grasses and perennial forbs was similar to that of bunch grasses. Additionally, only dominant bunch grasses showed a preference for ammonium N over nitrate N, while other plant species did not exhibit a clear preference for different forms of N. Our results suggest that the temporal differentiation of N utilization between plants and microorganisms enhances the availability of winter N sources. Importantly, the differences among plant species in the timing and quantity of winter N resource utilization contribute to species coexistence in temperate grasslands. This study highlights the crucial role of winter N accumulation as a primary N source for plant growth in temperate grasslands. Understanding the availability of winter N sources for plant and microbial growth is essential for predicting plant community dynamics and species coexistence in these ecosystems.

Recent Advances and New Insights in Genome Analysis and Transcriptomic Approaches to Reveal Enzymes Associated with the Biosynthesis of Dendrobine-Type Sesquiterpenoid Alkaloids (DTSAs) from the Last Decade.

Dendrobium species, which are perennial herbs widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, are notable for their therapeutic properties attributed to various bioactive compounds, including dendrobine-type sesquiterpenoid alkaloids (DTSAs). The objective of this review article is to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the biosynthesis of DTSAs, including their extraction from Dendrobium species and endophytes, elucidation of associated genes through genomic and transcriptomic sequencing in both Dendrobium spp. and endophytes, exploration of the biosynthetic pathways of DTSAs, and drawing conclusions and outlining future perspectives in this field. Alkaloids, predominantly nitrogen-containing compounds found in medicinal orchids, include over 140 types discovered across more than 50 species. DTSAs, identified in 37 picrotoxane alkaloids, have a distinctive five-membered nitrogen heterocyclic ring. This review highlights endophytic fungi as alternative sources of DTSAs, emphasizing their potential in pharmaceutical applications when plant-derived compounds are scarce or complex. Genomic and transcriptomic sequencing of Dendrobium spp. and their endophytes has identified key genes involved in DTSAs biosynthesis, elucidating pathways such as the mevalonate (MVA) and 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathways. Genes encoding enzymes, such as acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase and diphosphomevalonate decarboxylase, are positively associated with dendrobine production. Despite significant advancements, the complexity of terpenoid biosynthesis in different subcellular compartments remains a challenge. Future research should focus on leveraging high-quality genomic data and omics technologies to further understand and manipulate the biosynthetic pathways of DTSAs and enhance their medicinal use.

Characterizing seed dormancy in Epimedium brevicornu Maxim.: Development of novel chill models and determination of dormancy release mechanisms by transcriptomics

PurposeEpimedium brevicornu Maxim. is a perennial persistent C3 plant of the genus Epimedium Linn. in the family Berberaceae that exhibits severe physiological and morphological seed dormancy.We placed mature E. brevicornu seeds under nine stratification treatment conditions and explored the mechanisms of influence by combining seed embryo growth status assessment with related metabolic pathways and gene co-expression analysis.ResultsWe identified 3.9 °C as the optimum cold-stratification temperature of E. brevicornu seeds via a chilling unit (CU) model. The best treatment was variable-temperature stratification (10/20 °C, 12/12 h) for 4 months followed by low-temperature stratification (4 °C) for 3 months (4-3). A total of 63801 differentially expressed genes were annotated to 2587 transcription factors (TFs) in 17 clusters in nine treatments (0-0, 0-3, 1-3, 2-3, 3-3, 4-3, 4-2, 4-1, 4-0). Genes specifically highly expressed in the dormancy release treatment group were significantly enriched in embryo development ending in seed dormancy and fatty acid degradation, indicating the importance of these two processes. Coexpression analysis implied that the TF GRF had the most reciprocal relationships with genes, and multiple interactions centred on zf-HD and YABBY as well as on MYB, GRF, and TCP were observed.ConclusionIn this study, analyses of plant hormone signal pathways and fatty acid degradation pathways revealed changes in key genes during the dormancy release of E. brevicornu seeds, providing evidence for the filtering of E. brevicornu seed dormancy-related genes.